Pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus.



JOHN- E. sKiEEow,I oE EAST ORANGE, NEw JERSEY. PNEUIVIA'IilC-DESPATCH-TUBE APPARATUS.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1905'.

Application led August 24, 1904. lRenewed May 9, 1905. Serial No. 259,626.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. SKIEROW, a citizen of the United States. residing at East Orange, county of Essex. State of New Jersey,

have invented certain new and useful Im prove- Vments in Pneumatic-Despatch-Tube Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the terminal head, the outer casing being removed; Fig. 8, a similar view showing the other side of the head; Fig.. 11, a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the head; Fig. 5, a plan view ofthe upper head, the receiving-hood being drive a carrier in the proper direction and at the same time electrical circuits will be completed to set in motion a suitable motor for operating the air-pump or blower.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus with means whereby upon the closing of one of the gates of the terminal heads the carrier will be propelled in the proper direction and the electrical circuit will be completed to iirst energize an electrical magnet to hold said gate closed and l to set in motion a suitable motor for operating an air-pump, the circuits being so ary ranged that when the carrier reaches the discharge end of the tube both the magnet and motor circuits will be broken and the opened and the-motor stopped.

Other important objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Referring to the various parts by letters and numerals, 1 designates the despatch-tube; 2, .the lower terminal head, and 3 the upper terminal head, thesev heads being substantially alike in the structure, except that their positions are reversed. Each headis formed with a vertical cylindricalfchamber 4,/ in'to which the end'of the despatch-'tube-extends. The

gatev Vis perforated, as at 5, to permit air to pass into said tube from the head. The end of the'tube is flush with the outer surface of the head and is open to permit the carrier to be inserted therein. outward-extending lugs on the outer surface of the carrier is a gate or cover 6, said cover being provided with a disk 7, of leather, which is slightly larger in diameter than the despatch-tube and which is adapted to form an air-tight closure; therefor. Near the extreme end of this gate or cover, on the inner side thereof, is secured an armature 8. Within the head and in a position to be directly in line with the armature 8 is an electromagnet 9. On the outer face of the head, inthe rear of the cover, is mounted twospring contact-plates 10, one of which is electrically connected to one terminal of the magnet. The otherV plate is electrically connected to lthe post 11 i-n the head. and the other terminal of the magnet is electrically connected to av similar post 12. On the cover is formed a cam 13, which when the cover is swung into.

This spring surrounds the valve-stem 15 and is seated in a sleeve 17, which supports the valve-stem. Formed on the cover, near its pivot, is a cani 18, which is adapted to engage the inner end of the valve-stem when said cover is moved to its closed'jposition to force said valve outward from its seat, so that the air-inlet is open when the head is closed. When the magnet-circuit is opened by means 4hereinafter described, the spring 16 forces the valve 15 to its seat and at the same time forces the cover 6 away from the terminal head to its open position, thereby permitting the contact-plates 10 to separate.

- Mounted in each head is a short horizontal transverse shaft 19, on which is rigidly secured'a trigger 20, which extends through a slot in the despatch-tube, its free end lying in the path of the carrier, as shown clearly in Fig. 4:. This trigger is mounted in a box 21, which is secured in the terminal head over Pivoted between suitable' the slot throug'h the despatch-tube and prevents the escape of air from said tube. To one end of the shaft 19, outside of the boX 21, is secured a disk 22 of insulation, which carries a transverse contact-plate 23. Secured rigidly to the side of box 21 are two spring contact-arms 24, whose free ends are adapted to ride on the periphery of the disk 22 and are normally in engagement with the ends of the bar 23. These arms are in electrical connection with the posts 25 in the head and with posts in the distant head corresponding to posts l1 and 12. All of these posts of each head are mounted on an insulation-strip 26. Connected to the trigger 20 is a long and delicateV coil-spring 20, whose other end is secured within the box 21. This spring normally holds the trigger within the despatch-tube, butv permits it to be moved in either direction by the passing carrier. It will of course be understood that when the trigger is moved in either direction the carrier-shaft 19 will be rotated and bar 23 moved out of contact with arms 24, thereby opening minal head, is connected to the solenoid 26,

and Jfrom thence is carried bywire 11b to the contact 27, which is mounted above a second solenoid 26a. On this contact 27 normally rests a swinging contact 28, which is connected by wire 11C to the main lead P, a suitable resistance R being placed in said lead. The wire 12 is connected to post 12 of the lower head and to post 25 of the upper or opposite head, the other post 25 being connected by a wire 25a to the main lead N. The operation of this part of' the apparatus is as follows: When the cover or gate 6 of the lower head is closed, the two contact-plates 10 are brought together and the circuit completed. Current then passes from the main lead P, through wire 11c to contacts 28 and 27, through wire 11b to solenoid 26, thence through wire 11a to binding-post 11, thence through plates 10 and magnet 9 to the post 12. From this post current flows through wire 12l to one of the posts 25 of the opposite head, thence through trigger contact-arms 24 to other post 25, and to lead N through the wire 25a. The circuit through the opposite or upper head is exactly the same as through the lower head, and to avoid confusion the wires of the second circuit will not be numbered. To start the'air compressor or blower when one of the gates or doors 6 is closed, the solenoids 26 and 26 are provided. rI he armatures of these solenoids are formed with contact-arms 29 and 30,

which are adapted to engage contact-plates 29 and 30El when the armatures are drawn in* ward. The contact-plates 30L are connected by wires 301 through the field-circuit of a suitable motor M and to the main lead P, while the contacts 29 are connected by wires 29h to the armature-circuit of the motor and to the main lead P, themain lead N being connected to the iield and armature circuits, as indicated.

The operationof the motor-driving circuits is as follows: When the door 6 of the lower terminal head is moved to its closed position, the solenoid 26 is energized, thereby completing the motor-circuits through the contacts 29 and 30 and 29 and 30. Similarly, when the upper head is closed the solenoid 26 is energized and the motor-circuits completed through corresponding contacts 29, 30, 29".and 302. When the solenoid 26 is energized, the contacts 28 and 27 are separated by the armature of said solenoid, thereby making it impossible to complete the circuit through the magnet in the lower terminal head. The object of this is to prevent the carrier being placed in the lower terminal head while one is traveling through the tube from the upper head. In the same manner when the lower head is closed the armature of the solenoid 26 separates contacts 27 and 28, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby making it impossible to complete the circuit through the magnet in the upper head while the carrier is traveling toward said head from the lower terminal.

It will readily be seen that when a carrier has reached the discharge-terminal of the tube it will contact with the trigger 2O therein and rotate the disk 22, and thereby open thecircuit through the arms 24. This will demagnetize the magnet in the opposite head and release the door or gate and open the motorcircuit.

Connected directly to the armature-shaft of the motor is a rotary air-pump or blower 31. This blower or pump is connected by pipe 32 to the inlets of the heads.

It will thus be seen that the motor will be operating only during the passage of the carrier from the inlet-terminal to the outlet or discharge terminal and that as soon as the carrier contacts with the trigger 2O in the discharge-terminal the motor will be stopped, the cover or gate on the inlet-terminal will be opened,and the air-inlet valve closed, the whole apparatus automatically returning to its normal condition, so that the carrier may be transmitted through the despatch-tube in either direction.

It will of course be understood that a second set ot' terminal heads may be connected to the ends of the air-supply pipe 32.

In order to demagnetize the magnet 9, and thereby release the cover 6 of the head, a pushture.

vbutton 33 is secured to each head in position` to bring together two contact-plates 34: and 35,' these contact-plates being connected `by a shunt-circuit to the magnet-circuit. By this means the magnet may be shunted whenever desired and the cover 6 released. This is very desirable in order that the gate may be released quickly should it be accidentally closed when a carrier is not in the tube. .Without low the surface in order that they Will notbe jammed or worn by contact with the arma- The armature 8 is made slightly thinner than the leather closure-disk 7 in order that it will not contact with the outer surface of the head.

Each head is provided with a sectional casing or covering 37, which protects all of the contacts and circuits, but which may be readlily removed in order that said circuits and contacts may be inspected and renewed should they become worn or broken. The upper head is provided with a hood 38 to receive the carrier and direct it to a suitable receptacle, the upper and lower heads being exactly alike except'for this hood.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desirev to secure by Letters Patent, isv l.A A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a despatch-tube, terminal heads for the y ends thereof, said tube extending through said heads and being open at its ends, gates pivoted on said heads and arranged to close the tube, a magnet in each of said heads, means operated by the gate to complete the magnet-circuit when the gate is closed, airinlets to said heads, a motor, a pump'operated thereby, a supply-pipe connecting said pump to the inlets of the heads, means controlled by the gates for operating the motor whenone of said gates is closed, and means in each head operated by a carrier moving in the proper direction to stop the motor and release the gate at the inlet end of the tube.

2. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal head for each end thereof, a gate for each head, means controlled by each gate for holding saidI gate closed during the passage of the-carrier through the tube, a motor, an air-pump operated .thereby and connected to the inlet of each: head, motor-starting devices, and means controlled by each gate for operating said devices.

3. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, terminal heads therefor, a

gate to close each head, a motor, a blower or pump connected to the motor, a pipe connecting said pump to the terminal heads, means controlled by the gates for operating th'e motor, and means to prevent the motor being operated by one of the gates during the passage of a carrier through the tube.

4. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, terminal heads for each end thereof,` electrical means controlled by each gate to hold said gate closed during the passage of the carrier through the tube, a motor, means actuated by the gate for completing the motor-circuit, means actuated by the carrier at the distant end of the tube to open the motor-circuit and to release the closed gate, a pump operated by the motor, and means for connecting said pump to the terminal heads to control the movement of the air through the tube. Y

5. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal head foreach end thereof, a gate for closing each head, an electromagnet in each head to hold said gate closed, means actuated vby the gate to complete the magnet-circuit when said gate is closed, a motor, means to complete the motorcircuit when either of said gates is closed, and means to prevent the closing of the magnet-circuit in one head when it is closed in the other head.

6. A pneumatic-despatch-tub'e apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal head at each end thereof, a gate to close eachhead, an electromagnet to hold each gateclosed, means actuated by each gate to close the magnetcircuit in each head and means to preventthe closing of the magnet-circuit in one head when it is closed in the other head.

7. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal headV at each end thereof, a gate to close each head, an electromagnet to hold each 'gate closed, means actuated by each gate to close the magnetcircuit in each head, means to prevent the closing of the magnet-circuit in one head when it is closed in the other head, an air-supply, and means actuated by the gate to open communication between said air-supply and the tube when said gate is closed.

8. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal head at each end thereof, a gate to close each head, an electromagnet to hold each gate closed, means actuated by each gate to close the magnetcircuit in each head, means to prevent the closing of the magnet-circuit in one head when it is closed in the other head, an air-supply, means actuated by the gate to open communication between said air-supply and the tube when said gate is closed, means for controlling the passage of air through the tube, and

means actuated by the gate in closing to commeans.

9. A terminal head for pneumatic-despatchtube apparatus formed with an air-chamber to receive the end of the despatch-tube and with an air-inlet in communication with the said air-chamber, a valve closing said inlet, a gate to close the end of the tube, a cam formed on said gate and adapted to open the air-inlet valve when the gate is moved to its closed position, an electromagnet in said'head. an armature therefor carried by the gate, means actuated by the gate to complete the magnetcircuit to hold said gate closed.

10. A terminal head for pneumatic-despatchtube apparatus formed with an air-chamber to receive the end of the despatch-tube aand with an air-inlet in communication with said chamber, a valve closing said inlet, a gate to close thel end of the tube, a cam formed on said gate and adapted to open the air-inlet valve when the gate is moved toits closed position, an electromagnet in said head, an armature therefor carried by the gate, means actuated by the gate to complete the magnet-circuit to hold said gate closed, a trigger device carried by the head and extending into the tube, a contact device operated by said trigger device, and a circuit-breaker connected to said trigger.

11. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal head for each end thereof, a gate for each head, means controlledby each gate for holding said gate closed during the passage of a carrier through the tube, av motor, an air-pump operated thereby and connected to each head, motorstarting devices, means controlled by each gate for operating said devices, and means controlled by said starting devices to prevent the completion of the motor-circuit by one of the gates during the passage of a carrier through the tube.

12. A pneumatie-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal head for each end thereof, a gate for each head, means controlled by each gate for holding said gate closed during the passage of a carrier through the tube, a motor, an airpump operated thereby and connected to each head, motorstarting devices, means controlled by each gate for operating said devices and means controlled by said starting devices to prevent the operation of one starting device during the passage of a carrier through the tube.

13. A terminal head formed with an airchamber to receive the end of the despatchtube, a gate to close the end of the tube, an electromagnet in said head, an armature carried by the gate, means actuated by the gate to close the magnet-circuit when the gate is closed, a trigger device in said head and eX- tending into the path of the carrier through said head, and a circuit-breaker connected to said trigger and adapted to be operated thereby.

14. A terminal head formed with an airchamber to receive the end of the despatchtube, a gate to close the end of the tube, an electromagnet in said head, an armature carried by the gate, means actuated by the gate to close the magnet-circuit when the gate is closed, a trigger device within the head and extending into the path of the carrier, a hex inclosing said trigger, a circuit-breaker eennected to said trigger outside of said box, and means for normally maintaining the trigger in the carrier-passage through the head.

15. A terminal head for pneumatic-despatchtube apparatus formed with a tube-passage, a tube extending through said passage, its outer end being flush with the outer face of the head, the head being formed with an air-chamber surrounding the tube near its end and the tube being perforated to admit air from said chamber, an air-inlet into said head, a valve to no1'- mally close said inlet, a gate to close the tube, means to open the valve when the gate is closed, an electromagnet in said head, means to close the magnet-circuit when the gate is closed, a magnet-armature carried by the gate whereby the gate will be held closed when the magnet-circuit is closed, a trigger extending into the tube, and acircuit-breaker connected to said trigger.

16. A terminal head for pneu matic-despatchtube apparatus formed with an air-chamber to receive the end of the despatch-tidal., a gate to close the end of the tube. an electromagnet in said head, an armature carried by the gate, means actuated by the gate to close the magnet-circuit when the gate is closed, a shuntcircuit in the magnet-circuit, and a push-button to close said shunt-circuit to release the gate.

17. A pncumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal head connected thereto, a gate for closing said head, an electromagnet in said head to hold said gate closed, means actuated by the gate to complete the magnet-circuit when said gate is closed, a motor, means to complete the motor-circuit when said gate is closed, a pump operated by the motor, and means connecting said pump to the terminal head to control the movement of air through the tube.

18. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a despatch-tube, a terminal head connected to said tube, a gate to close said head, a magnet in said head, means operated by the gate to complete the magnet-circuit when the gate is closed whereby said magnet will hold said gate closed, a motor, a pump operated thereby, means connecting the pump to the head, means controlled by the gate to complete the motor-circuit when said gate is closed, and means at the discharge end of the tube and adapted to be operated by the ycarrier moving in the proper direction to stop the motor and release the gate at the inlet end of the tube.

19. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a despatch-tube, a terminal head connected thereto, a gate to closesaid head, an electromagnet to hold said gate closed, means actuated by the gate to close the magnet-circuit when the gate is closed, means at the discharge end of' the tube adapted to be operated bya carrier moving in the proper direction to demagnetize the magnet and thereby release the gate and means at the inlet endof the tube to demagnetize the magnet to release the gate'.

, 20. A terminal head for pneumatic-despatchtube apparatus formed with an air-chamber to receive the end of a tube, a gate to close said head, an electromagnet in said head, an armature carried by the gate, means actuated by the gate to close the magnet-circuit when the gate is closed, and means carried by the head and adapted to be moved into position to demagnetize the magnet to release the gate.

21, A terminal head formed with an airchamber to receive the end of the despatchtube, a gate to close the end of the tube, an electromagnet in said head, an armature carried by the gate, means actuated by the gate to close the magnet-circuit when the gate is closed, a trigger device within the head and extending into the path of the carrier, a box inclosing said trigger, a circuit-breaker connected to said trigger outside of said box, means for normally maintaining the trigger in the carrier-passage through the head, and a two-part casing inclosing the head and protecting the magnet, contact-plates, `and circuit-breaker.

22. pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube adapted to receive a carrier at one end, a motor, an air-pump operated thereby and connected to the tube, a motor-- starting device, an auxiliary circuit operating the starting device and means for completing the auxiliary circuit to operate the motorstarting device.

23. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube adapted to receivea carrier at one end, a motor, an air-pump operated thereby and connected to the tube, a motorstarting device, an auxiliary circuit operating i closed, whereby a carrier may be driven in either direction through the tube without reversing the pump.

25. v A `pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus vcomprising a tube, two terminals connected thereto, a closure for each terminal, a motor, means at each terminal to complete the motorcircuit, a pump or blower operated by the motor, an air-supply pipe connecting said pump with each terminal, a normally closed valve in said air-supply pipe at each terminal, means actuated by each closure device to open the adjacent air-valve when the terminal is closed, whereby a carrier may be driven in either direction through the tube without reversing the pump, means near each terminal adapted to be actuated by a carrier moving in the proper direction to stop the motor.

26. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube adapted to receive a carrier at one end, a motor, an air-pump operated thereby and connected to the tube, a motorstarting device, an auxiliary circuit operating the starting device, means for completing the auxiliary circuit to operate the motor-starting device, and means at the delivery end of the tube adapted to be operated to break the motor-circuit.

27. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal head connected thereto, ,a gate for closing said head, an electromagnet in said head to hold said gate closed, a motor, a pump operated thereby, a motorstarting device controlling the motor-circuit, an auxiliary circuit controlling the starting device, and means for completing said auxiliary circuit.

28. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, a terminal head connected thereto, a gate for closing said head, an electromagnetin said head to hold Said gate closed, a motor, a pump operated thereby, a motorstarting device controlling the motor-circuit, an auxiliary circuit controlling the starting device, means for completing said auxiliary circuit, and means atvthe delivery end of the tube adapted to interrupt the auxiliary circuit.

29. A pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus comprising a tube, aterminal head connected thereto, a gate for closing said head, an electromagnet in said head to hold said gate closed, a motor, a pump operated thereby, a motorstartingV device controlling rthe motor-circuit, an auxiliary circuit controlling the starting device, means for completing said auxiliary circuit, and means at the delivery end of the tube and adapted to be operated by the carrier to break the auxiliary circuit.

SO. An apparatus for moving fluid comprising a tube, a gate, a motor, a pump for moving the fluid, and means controlled by the gate to start the motor when said gate is closed and to stop the motor when said gate is open 3l. A pneumatie-despateh-tube apparatus In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my comprising atube adapted to receiveacarrier, signature, in the presence of two Witnesses, a gate to close said tube, a motor, an airthis 23d day of August, 1904.

pump operated thereby and Connected to the JOHN F. SKIRROVV. tube, and means operated by the gate to start Witnesses: the motor when the gate is closed and to stop C. A. LANE,

the motor when the gate vis open. T. A. HAMMOND. 

